Audience Segmentation System Using Hybrid Data Profiles

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing marketing systems fail to effectively target high-value consumers by not integrating diverse data sources and delivering relevant content, leading to lost revenue and inefficient use of resources.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that collects and integrates consumer data from various online and offline sources to create audience member profiles, segments users based on these profiles, and delivers targeted content across multiple digital mediums using unique identifiers and segment-targeting cookies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If content is delivered to all consumers based on group subscription, then quantity of consumers reached is maximized, but revenue is lost due to inability to differentiate high-value consumers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantity of consumers reachedVSAvoidlost revenue
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the consumer base into different groups based on multiple criteria including subscription type, purchasing behavior, and engagement metrics. This allows the system to differentiate high-value consumers from regular subscribers and deliver targeted content strategies to each segment, thereby maximizing revenue from valuable customers while still maintaining broad reach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies different content delivery qualities and strategies to different consumer segments. High-value consumers receive personalized, highly-relevant content based on their specific preferences and behavior patterns, while other segments receive standardized content. This local differentiation optimizes revenue generation without sacrificing overall system efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Measurement precision

If diverse data sources are integrated to create detailed consumer profiles, then targeting precision is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetargeting precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces intermediary components including a data warehouse that centralizes and standardizes data from multiple sources, and a consumer profile generator that processes raw data into structured profiles. These intermediaries simplify the overall system architecture by creating standardized interfaces between diverse data sources and the content delivery system, reducing complexity while maintaining high targeting precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces complex manual data integration processes with automated electronic data processing and algorithmic profile generation. This substitution of mechanical/manual operations with automated computational systems reduces operational complexity while enhancing the precision of consumer targeting through consistent, scalable data processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Productivity

If content is delivered to low-value consumers, then system resources are consumed, but revenue generation is minimal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource utilization efficiencyVSAvoidwasted system resources
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial action by delivering personalized, high-value content only to identified high-value consumers, while providing standardized or reduced-content delivery to lower-value segments. This selective application of resources ensures that system capabilities are concentrated where they generate maximum revenue, optimizing resource utilization efficiency while minimizing waste on low-return activities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS7805332B2System and method for segmenting and targeting audience members
Publication Date: 2010.09.28 YAHOO AD TECH LLC
  • US7805332B2 patent drawing
  • US7805332B2 patent drawing
  • US7805332B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for delivering content to an audience member via one or more mediums based on an audience member profile are disclosed. Profile data for audience members may be initially collected from an offline source, such as a registration or subscription database. The profile data may be stored in a dedicated database. The initial profile data may be supplemented periodically with data reflecting online activity by the audience member. The combined offline and online profile data may be used to group the audience members into segments. Audience member segments may be used to identify audience members who are targeted to receive like content. An audience member's inclusion in a segment may be indicated by storing a segment-targeting cookie on the audience member computer. Content may be delivered to the audience member based on identification of the segment in the segment-targeting cookie.